Yes, you can contract roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms from a dog or cat. Here's what you need to know.

Many people ask their veterinarian, “Can humans get worms from dogs?” The answer is yes — we can certainly get intestinal parasites from our dogs or cats.

In this article, we’ll look at 3 common parasites: roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms.

1. Roundworms

Roundworm eggs are shed constantly by the infected dog (or, most commonly, puppy). If he licks his butt and then licks you, the contamination begins.

When you touch your mouth, you allow the eggs (unseen by your eyes) to enter your body. You or your children can also pick them up from infected dog poop in the backyard. Once they get in, they make their way into your intestines and grow — big time.

Occasionally, the worms will form a ball within the body and cause an intestinal blockage. This is when roundworms (Toxocara canis) stop being a minor issue and become a major problem. Usually, the person will notice the long, spaghetti-like parasites in their stools.

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